Searching For Meaning

Searching For Meaning by Paula Gooder was published by SPCK in September 2008 and is our 20899th best seller. The ISBN for Searching For Meaning is 9780281058358.

Searching For Meaning introduces readers to the different methods used to interpret the New Testament. Top scholars give a short definition of a particular criticism and then Paula Gooder gives a practical example to demonstrate how that criticism can be applied to a biblical text.

A very broad range of methods are introduced, from traditional criticisms such as source criticism and historical criticism tot he more modern methods such as feminist criticism and liberation criticism. Readers will understand how different meanings and emphases can be drawn out from a text depending upon the method of interpretation chosen. They will also be given the skills to start analysing and examining texts for themselves in a meaningful and insightful way.

“In this excellent introduction, Paula Gooder acts as our erudite, reliable and ever patient guide. This impressive volume deserves to be on the bibliography of every serious student of the Bible.” Dr Helen Bond, University of Edinburgh.

“This is a clearly written and extremely helpful introduction to many different approaches to the interpretation of the New Testament. Experts from around the world and across many disciplines contribute specialised explanations, while Paula Gooder’s excellent discussions apply each form of criticism to actual New Testament textual examples. It will become an indispensable tool and is greatly to be welcomed.” Professor Richard Burridge, King’s College, London.

“No other primer in biblical criticism even comes close in terms of representing the actual multiplicity and diversity of contemporary biblical methodology and biblical scholars.” Professor Stephen Moore, Drew University.

Dr Paula Gooder is a visiting lecturer at King’s College, London, an honorary lecturer at the University of Birmingham, senior research scholar at the Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham, and Canon Theologian of Birmingham Cathederal.